Pribilof Islands Historic Preservation and Environmental Restoration

Topics

Island Natural Resources
Domestic Animals

Horses, mules, cattle, poultry, swine, sheep, and cats have lived on the Pribilofs, though only cats remain today (Osgood et al. 1915, 128). The domestic cat came to the islands as a friend of man.

Cats have become acclimated on St. Paul Island only. There they run wild in the village and many of them are a nuisance in the same way as we find them elsewhere. Through some fortunate circumstance they have failed to get a start on St. George although individuals have been taken there from time to time.
In 1916, Mr. and Mrs. George Haley went to St. Paul Island to teach the local school and they took with them a female cat descended from stock from the Isle of Man [Manx cat]. Thus, a new strain was introduced into the local breed and the final development may be watched with considerable interest by students of heredity. (Hanna, 2008, 201)

Horses and mules were used for many years on St. Paul Island to haul supplies and provide transportation to distant rookeries (Osgood et al. 1915, 127). On both St. Paul and St. George Islands, cattle furnished milk and occasionally beef for government employees. Horses, mules, and cattle found pasturage during about half of the year and were fed imported food for the remainder of the year.

Photo of two men with a large ox.
St. George Agent with large oxen (NARA).

Government employees and Natives on both islands kept poultry to supply them with eggs. Productivity decreased during the colder season, leading many Natives to house poultry in their attics. Osgood et al. (1915, 128) recommended considering the establishment of a large poultry house to be used by the community.

Natives on both islands raised swine (Osgood et al. 1915, 128). During the summer, the swine subsisted on plants from the village and nearby fields. Seal killing fields also provided subsistence for the swine.

Marine Invertebrates

Insects and Arachnids

Fossils